Admissions

( http://www.uncw.edu/admissions/ )

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is committed to enrolling students with the motivation to actively participate in a powerful learning experience that stimulates creative inquiry, critical thinking, thoughtful expression and responsible citizenship. We support the development of a campus community that is diverse, that is distinctive by our students’ engagement in community involvement, and that advances scholarly activity through involvement in faculty research. We value unique talent and academic potential. Every applicant who is extended an offer of admission has a proven record of academic achievement and a commitment to utilize the UNCW experience as preparation for a life of service and success. Admission counselors will carefully review the academic qualifications of each applicant in a conscientious effort to admit students who have the potential for further academic achievement and growth.

Every enrolling UNCW student must have an immunization record on file at UNCW (as required by law) before registration. (See Immunization and Health Forms section.) UNCW reserves the right to withdraw offers of admission to students who do not submit their enrollment deposit or immunization records by the required deadline.

UNCW will withdraw the offer of admission to students who do not enroll into their admitted term. Students must send a written request for consideration for a different term to the Office of Admissions by the application deadline for that term.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs must approve any exception to university admission requirements.

Any student who supplies false or misleading information or who conceals pertinent facts in order to enroll in the University of North Carolina Wilmington will be subject to immediate dismissal from the university.

Application Deadline and Notification Dates

1. For Freshmen for Summer Session II and Fall

2. For Freshmen for Spring (January) Semester
   1. Application deadline is October 15.
   2. The university reserves the right to refuse to review applications for first-year admission that are not submitted by October 15.
   3. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is due in early December from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
   4. The university reserves the right to cancel admission, registration, housing assignments, or orentation registration for any admitted student who does not pay the enrollment deposit by the date listed on his or her acceptance letter.
3. For Transfer Applicants for Summer and Fall
   1. Application priority deadline is March 1
   2. After March 1, the university may accept transfer applications on a space available basis and reserves the right to return an application and fee without processing the application.
   3. Application status and admission notification is viewable in the SeaLevel application portal.
   4. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before May 1 or by the date specified on the offer of admission, whichever is latest, from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
   5. The university reserves the right to withdraw admission, registration, housing assignments, or orientation registration for any admitted student who does not pay the $100 enrollment deposit by the designated deadline. 
4. For Transfer Applicants for Spring (January) Semester
   1. Application priority deadline is October 15.
   2. Application status and admission notification is viewable in the SeaLevel application portal.
   3. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before December 1 or by the date specified on the offer of admission, whichever is latest, from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
5. For Transfer Online Accelerated Program (OAP) Applicants
   1. The OAP application has multiple application deadlines, the dates can be found by visiting http://onlinedegree.uncw.edu/.
   2. Application status and admission notification is viewable in the World Wide Connect application portal.
6. For Former (Re-Enrolling) Students
   1. Students applying to re-enroll should direct all inquiries to the Office of Admissions.
   2. After the Office of Admissions receives all required documentation for re-enrolling, applications are processed within three to four weeks.
   3. The Fall application deadline is July 15.
   4. The Spring application deadline is November 15.
   5. Applicants seeking re-enrollment at UNCW will be charged a non-refundable $80 application fee.
7. For Permission Students (Special Undergraduate and Permission Visiting) for Fall and Spring
   
       1. The Fall application deadline is July 15.
       2. Spring application deadline is November 15.
       3. New students must register and remain enrolled in the term for which they were admitted. Students who decide to begin enrollment in a term later than
       their admission term must contact the Office of Admissions to submit a new application for the later term.
    
8. For Summer Visiting Students

1. The summer term includes two sessions. Any applicant admitted for summer is eligible to take classes in the first session, second session or both sessions. Summer admission is limited to summer enrollment exclusively.
2. Students who decide to enroll in a term later than their admission term must contact the Office of Admissions to submit a new application for the later term.

Admission – Freshmen

Admission to the university is competitive. All applicants must submit the SAT I or ACT. Applicants may apply to enter the university at the beginning of the fall semester and at the second session of the summer term. The university encourages rigorous coursework during high school and awards credit based on scores earned on Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, and/or grades on college level courses taken during high school. Students should consult their high school counselor for further information. The university honors Common Application, NACAC, College Board and ACT Application Fee Waiver forms if properly signed.

Additionally, listed below are the high school minimum course requirements, as established by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina system, for consideration for admission to the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Meeting the high school minimum course requirements does not infer or guarantee admission to UNCW.

Four (4) course units in English

• emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature

Two (2) course units in foreign language

• two (2) units of the same foreign language (American sign language does apply)

Four (4) course units of mathematics, in any of the following combinations:

• algebra I and II, geometry, and one (1) unit beyond algebra II,
• algebra I and II, and two (2) units beyond algebra II, or
• integrated math I, II, and III, and one (1) unit beyond integrated math III
• The fourth math unit must be one for which algebra II is prerequisite

Three (3) course units in science

• one (1) unit in a life or biological science (for example, biology)
• one (1) unit in physical science (for example, earth science, chemistry, physics)
• one (1) additional science
• at least one of these courses must include a lab

Two (2) course units in social science

• one unit must be U.S. history, but an applicant who does not have the unit in U.S. history may be admitted on the condition that at least three (3) semester hours in that subject will be passed by the end of the sophomore year

The Admissions Committee will also consider:

• The difficulty of the coursework taken (advanced, college prep, honors, advanced placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrolled, etc.)
• Grades, grade point average, and/or class rank
• Standardized test scores–SAT and/or ACT
• Recommendation from guidance counselor or core academic teacher
• Extracurricular activities, community activities, talents, interests, work experience and/or life experience
• The required essay and short answer.

Application Procedure for Freshmen

Applicants are required to comply with the following:

1. Submit a completed application by one of the two deadline dates (November 1, early action or February 1, regular decision).
2. Submit a NON-REFUNDABLE $80 application fee with the application. Web applicants may submit payment online.
3. Submit an official transcript directly from all the high schools attended to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-5904. We cannot accept transcripts directly from the student.
4. Complete the required essay and short answer, and submit with the application.
5. Request that an optional recommendation from a guidance counselor or core academic teacher be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions at UNCW.
6. Submit the SAT or the ACT. If not reported on the high school transcript, SAT and ACT scores must be submitted directly from either The College Board or ACT (UNCW College Codes are: SAT #5907, ACT #3174). For more information about the SAT, write or call: College Board SAT Program, P. O. Box 025505, Miami, FL 33102, (866) 756-7346. For information about ACT, write or call: ACT Registration, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, IA 52243-0414, (319) 337-1270.

It is important that the high school transcript and test scores reach the university by the appropriate application deadline date so that all matters relating to the application may be complete before the final notification date and the opening of the semester in which the student expects to enroll.

Admission – Transfer Students

Applicants may apply to enter the university at the beginning of the fall term, summer term or spring term. The university awards credit based on scores earned on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST).

Students who wish consideration for transfer to the University of North Carolina Wilmington from another institution must have graduated from an accredited high school or have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or received an Adult High School Diploma. Applicants under the age of 21 must meet high school minimum requirements. In order to be competitive for admission, applicants are recommended to have at least met the following.

Recommendations for Main Campus Transfer Applicants

1. 24 hours of transferable college-level coursework (complete or in progress.) If less than 24 transferable hours of college-level work has been completed or is in progress, SAT/ACT scores should be submitted for review.
2. GED recipients must have completed 24 transferable hours at the time of application.
3. A cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale on all transferable work attempted from all institutions attended (note: grades below a C, including “C-” do not transfer, but are included in the GPA calculation.
4. Eligibility to return to the last institution attended.

Applicants with the following courses completed or in progress have a higher likelihood of gaining admission:

• 3 hours of college-level math
• 6 hours of college-level English

As part of the holistic approach to review transfer students’ applications, we consider several aspects of your application in making our admission decision. This may include:

1. The individual grades received in courses and the academic rigor of courses completed.
2. Declared major and courses completed toward that major.
3. Essay, extra-curricular activities, work experience, and military service.
4. High school grade point average and coursework, if applying with fewer than 24 hours completed.

Students seeking admission are required to submit official transcripts from all previous college(s) or universities attended to the Office of Admissions  Students with current or previous military experience are required to submit military transcripts.

Application Procedure for Transfer Students

Students wishing to transfer are required to comply with the following procedures:

1. Submit a complete application by the appropriate application deadline date.
2. Submit an $80 NON-REFUNDABLE application fee with the application.
3. Submit an official transcript from each college or university attended, including summer school. It is the applicant’s responsibility to request official transcripts are submitted by each institution attended to the Office of Admissions, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-5904 by the application deadline date.
4. Submit official military transcripts (if applicable) to the UNCW Office of Admissions.
5. Have an official high school transcript or GED sent to the Office of Admissions by the application deadline date.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

UNCW participates in several articulation agreements governing the transfer of students and courses. These include:

1. The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) governing the transfer of students from NC community colleges to UNC institutions.
2. UNCW’s bilateral articulation agreements which provide students with admission assurances when they graduate from a partnering community college as stated under the agreement.
3. Special program articulation agreements for the following programs:  

• Aquaculture Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Fine Arts - Music emphasis
• Health and Fitness Science
• Marine Technology

4. Special course transferability articulations with US and foreign colleges.

For additional information, contact the Office of Admissions at UNCW (phone: (910) 962-3243; e-mail: UNCWtransfer@uncw.edu) or the state transfer articulation website.

Transfer Students and University Studies

North Carolina Community College transfer students, entering UNCW Spring 2016 or later who have earned an AA or AS degree meeting the requirements of the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), will receive a waiver of the Foundations and Approaches & Perspectives requirements with the exception of PE; foreign language, and 3 credits from Living in Our Diverse Nation or Living in a Global Society. They will also receive a waiver of 3 credits each of Writing Intensive, Information Literacy, and Quantitative and Logical Reasoning competency requirements. AS and AA degree-holding transfer students will be held to all other University Studies requirements. All other transfer students will be held to University Studies in its entirety, with the exception of First Year Seminar.

For more information on University Studies refer to the University Studies  section of the catalogue.

Admission – Re-Enrolling Students

See Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission .

Admission – Audit Students

Students who wish to take courses without receiving credit should apply to the Office of the Registrar immediately after the semester registration date. UNCW admits audit students on a space-available basis. See website: http://uncw.edu/reg/registration-audit.htm.

Admission – Graduate Students

Applicants to UNCW’s graduate programs should direct all inquiries concerning admission to the Graduate School. Please refer to the Graduate School website for admission requirements.

Admission – International Students

The University of North Carolina Wilmington welcomes interest and inquiry from international students, defined as those who are not U.S. citizens or who are not U.S. permanent residents. In addition to meeting academic requirements, international applicants for freshmen and transfer admission must submit scores (TOEFL, IELTS, DET or PTE) to demonstrate English proficiency if English is not their native language, or if they do not meet other established criteria for waiving submission of test scores, as detailed on the Web site: http://www.uncw.edu/admissions/INTLEnglish.html. International students requesting UNCW’s F-1 visa sponsorship must also provide documentation proving that the financial obligations associated with their study at the university can be fully met. For details on international admission requirements and a list of all required documents, please refer to the Web site: www.uncw.edu/intladmissions. UNCW admits international students for every semester. Certain academic programs require a separate, additional application in order to be admitted to those programs; for example, the Cameron School of Business and the School of Nursing.

The Office of International Programs will advise international exchange students. Visit Web site http://www.uncw.edu/intprogs/.

Admission – Permission/Visiting Students

Students from other colleges or universities who intend to return to their home institution may attend UNCW as permission/visiting students in the fall or spring semesters or summer sessions. The university does not assume responsibility for determining a student’s course selection when such credits are to be transferred elsewhere. Transcripts of work completed at UNCW must be requested through the Office of the Registrar to assure a record of academic work is sent to the home institution of the permission/visiting student. Enrollment as a permission/visiting student from another institution in no way obligates the university to continue a student’s enrollment at UNCW at the expiration of the permission/visiting period. All application deadline dates apply to permission/visiting students.

To attend fall or spring semesters, students apply as permission students and must submit the non-degree seeking undergraduate permission application, $80 application fee, and an official transcript from their current or most recently attended college or university. Permission students must be in good academic standing at their current or most recently attended institution and have attained at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA with 24 transferable credit hours complete at the time of application in order to be considered for admission. A student may only attend as a permission student for two consecutive semesters (not including summer session).

To attend summer school, students apply as summer visiting students and submit the Summer Visiting Student application. The Summer Visiting Student application is available by February of each year at www.uncw.edu/summer.

Admission – Professional Colleges, Schools, and Select Programs

(Degree Programs in the Cameron School of Business, Watson College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Biology, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Film Studies, Music, and Psychology).

Applications may be obtained from the appropriate school or department following admission to the university.

Admission – Senior Citizens (65+ years of age) Tuition Free Audit

North Carolina General Assembly Session Law 2017-57, Senate Bill 257, Section 10.12.(a) authorized the Board of Governors to promulgate rules permitting residents of North Carolina who have attained the age of 65 and who meet applicable admissions standards to audit courses, tuition-free, on a space available basis.

Senior citizens 65 and older who are not currently enrolled at UNCW and wish to audit a class will need to submit an online application within SeaNet  (Audit & ESL Application (Undergraduate)). Instructor permission must be obtained prior to application submission. The application must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar before the end of the add/drop period. An application fee of $80 will be requested prior to submission of the application. This application fee is waived for UNCW graduates.

Senior citizens who wish to take courses for credit must apply through the Admissions Office. Tuition and fees will apply.

Senior citizens registering for more than (4) credit hours will need to comply with the immunization requirements under North Carolina state law. Please contact Student Health Services at (910) 962-3280 for more information.

Admission – Dual–Enrolled High School Students     

High school students who wish to pursue academic courses on the collegiate level while attending high school may enroll at UNCW if they meet the qualifications for participation in this program. This program is available to students whose primary residence is New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick County. Eligible students must have (1) completed two calendar years as a student at a high school or homeschool and (2) earned enough credits to be designated a junior or senior year in high school.  Exceptions are not made to the program requirements. Not all UNCW courses will be available to dual-enrolled high school students, depending upon the requirements of or restriction for the course. For instance, courses that have a component that includes international or overnight travel are not available.

Applications for dual-enrollment are available online at http://uncw.edu/admissions/apply.html. Students may enter this program for the fall, spring, or summer terms and may only register for two undergraduate courses per term. Students are responsible for all tuition and fees associated with the registered course(s). Applications and course selections for fall and summer terms should be received in the UNCW Office of Admissions by April 1. Applications and course selections for spring term should be received in the UNCW Office of Admissions by November 1. Students are required to submit a new application for every semester they wish to take classes at UNCW. Late applications will not be considered. http://uncw.edu/admissions/dual.html.

Admission – Special Undergraduate Students

Any individual who already possesses a degree from a four-year regionally accredited university or college and wishes to enroll for undergraduate courses at UNCW in a non-degree status must apply to the Office of Admissions by the application deadline date. An official transcript from the degree-granting institution must be submitted from the institution awarding the degree to the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline date. Non-degree seeking students must meet the same retention standards as degree seeking students.

Candidates seeking a second or additional undergraduate degree must apply as transfer students and have transcripts from all universities or colleges attended submitted by the application deadline date.

All special undergraduates must submit the $80 application fee.

Online Accelerated Program

Returning students who are interested in the Online Accelerated Program (OAP) must complete an application through the World Wide Connect Portal to be considered for re-enrollment. Please apply using this link. The Online Accelerated Program is a completely online degree program, offered within a shortened seven week session, consisting of six separate sessions per year. This program has different application deadlines. Those dates, and other important dates and information, can be found by visiting the Online Accelerated Program website.

Currently, UNCW offers the RN to BSN curriculum and the Exercise Science curriculum within the online accelerated program.

Unclassified Enrollment Permission

Applicants who are denied regular admission to the university may be considered for enrollment as unclassified students under special circumstances. No student who has graduated from high school less than two years prior to application may be considered for unclassified status. Unclassified status does not constitute admission to any degree program at the university.

An unclassified student may enroll in up to 18 credit hours of courses in a semester, but may attempt no more than a cumulative total of 30 credit hours while unclassified. If the student does not qualify for degree status after 30 credit hours have been attempted, the student’s enrollment will end and the student may not reapply for admission. Unclassified students are subject to all applicable academic regulations of the university. Unclassified students are not eligible for federally funded financial aid programs. See also Conversion from Unclassified Status in the University Regulations  section of this catalogue.

Immunization and Medical History Form

North Carolina General Statute 130A-155.1 establishes specific immunization requirements for all students enrolled in North Carolina colleges or universities. It is the responsibility of the Student Health Center to monitor the immunization record of each student to ensure compliance with state law and university requirements.

All students are required to submit a completed “Immunization and Medical History Form.” The form can be downloaded at  http://www.uncw.edu/healthservices/shc_records.html.

There are three parts to the form:

• Immunization Record: Students can have their doctor’s office complete and sign the form, or attach a copy of an official immunization record.
• Physical Examination:  A Physical Examination is not required for admission. If a student is taking a physical education course and has a medical condition that may affect participation, then a student will be asked for documentation of a physical within the past 14 months or required to get one done.
• Report of Medical History: All students must complete these two pages. Students under 18 will need to have a parent or guardian sign the form.

Immunizations that are REQUIRED pursuant to NC state law (current as of March 1, 2020):

*Please read below for further information

• Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine: Three doses are required for individuals entering college or university. Individuals entering college or university for the first time on or after July 1, 2008 must have had three doses of tetanus/diphtheria toxoid; one of which must be tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis.
• Polio vaccine: Three doses are required for individuals entering college or university. An individual attending school that has attained his or her 18th birthday is not required to receive polio vaccine.
• Measles vaccine: Two doses at least 28 days apart are required for individuals entering college or university. The requirement for a second dose does not apply to individuals who entered school, college or university for the first time before July 1, 1994. A person who has been diagnosed prior to January 1, 1994 by a physician (or designee, such as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant) as having measles (rubeola), or an individual who has been documented by serological testing to have a protective antibody titer against measles, is not required to receive measles vaccine. Individuals born before 1957 are not required to receive measles vaccine except in measles outbreak situations.
• Mumps vaccine: Two doses are required for individuals entering college or university. A physician’s diagnosis is not acceptable for mumps disease(s). Individuals must be immunized or have laboratory confirmation of disease, or have been documented by serological testing to have a protective antibody against mumps. Individuals born before 1957 are not required to receive the mumps vaccine. Individuals that entered college or university before July 1, 1994 are not required to receive the vaccine. Individuals that entered school, college or university before July 1, 2008 are not required to receive the second dose of mumps vaccine.
• Rubella vaccine: One dose is required for individuals entering college or university. A physician’s diagnosis is not acceptable for rubella disease(s). Individuals must be immunized or have laboratory confirmation of rubella disease, or have been documented by serological testing to have a protective antibody titer against rubella. Any individual who has attained his or her fiftieth birthday is not required to receive rubella vaccine except in outbreak situations. Any individual who entered college or university after his or her thirtieth birthday, and before February 1, 1989, is not required to receive rubella vaccine except in outbreak situations.
• Hepatitis B Vaccine: Three doses are required for individuals entering college or university. Hepatitis B vaccine is not required if an individual was born before July 1, 1994.
• Varicella: One dose is required for individuals entering college or university that were born on or after April 1, 2001. An individual who has laboratory confirmation of varicella disease immunity or has been documented by serological testing to have a protective antibody titer against varicella, or who has documentation from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant verifying history of varicella disease, is not required to receive varicella vaccine. The documentation shall include the name of the individual with a history of varicella disease, the approximate date or age of infection, and a healthcare provider signature. Individuals born before April 1, 2001 are not required to receive varicella vaccine.
  
  Immunization requirements taken directly from http://www.immunize.nc.gov/schools/collegesuniversities.htm.

International Students and/or non-US Citizens: Vaccines are required as noted above. Additionally, international students are required to have a Tb skin test (PPD, TST or QuantiFERON Gold) that has been administered and read at an appropriate medical facility within 12 months prior to the first day of class. (Chest x-ray required if test is positive.)

Meningitis Vaccinations: All students must inform the Student Health Center whether or not they received the meningococcal vaccine, and if so, type of vaccine, the month, date and year of the vaccination.

Notes:

a.     Immunization records must bear either the administering provider’s signature, name, address and phone number or the official stamp of the health care facility at which the immunizations were administered. Immunization records printed from a state registry are also an acceptable form of proof.

b.    Laboratory proof of immunity to Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, or Rubella (German Measles) is acceptable.

Failure to comply with North Carolina immunization requirements will result in administrative withdrawal from the university.

Orientation

For information regarding Orientation, please refer to the University Regulations  section of this catalogue.

Safety and Health Program

UNCW’s safety program complies with the State Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973.